A seizure is an out-of-control misfire between nerve cells in the brain. Normal brain functions are impaired with a seizure.
Things known to cause seizures are:
High fevers in children. This kind
of seizure is called a fever fit. A temperature higher than 102oF can set off a
fever fit. High fevers are the most common cause of seizures in children ages 6 months to
4 years. These seizures are generally harmless.
Epilepsy, a brain disorder. Seizure is the
most common symptom of epilepsy.
Brain injury, tumor, or stroke
Electric shock
Heat stroke
Poisons
Infections
Reactions or overdoses to medicines or
drugs
Reye's Syndrome
Snakebites
Vaccinations
Breath-holding
Sometimes the cause of a seizure is not known.
Seizures fall in 2 general groups: general and partial. A partial seizure affects small areas of the brain. A general seizure affects the whole brain and can cause loss of consciousness and/or convulsions. This is the type most people associate with a seizure. This type of seizure is also called a tonic-clonic or a grand mal seizure. First aid can be helpful for this type of seizure.
Symptoms of seizures with convulsions are:
Crying out
Falling down
Losing consciousness
Entire body stiffening
Uncontrollable jerks and twitches
The sufferer's muscles relax after the seizure. He or she may lose bowel and bladder control and may be confused, sleepy and have a headache.
Most seizures last 1-5 minutes. A fever fit can last from 1-10 minutes.
Fever Fit Prevention
The best way to prevent a fever fit is to reduce the fever fast. This is
especially important for a child who has had a fever fit in the past. He or she is more
likely to have another one with future fevers. When your child has a fever:
Dress him or her in light-weight clothes or
remove most of his or her clothes. Don't use more than a top sheet or one blanket on your
child when he or she sleeps.
Apply washcloths rinsed in lukewarm (not
cold) water to your child's forehead and neck. Sponge the rest of his or her skin with
lukewarm water. Don't use rubbing alcohol.
Give the dose of acetaminophen the label
states for your child's weight or age. {Note: Do not give
aspirin or any medication that has salicylates to anyone under 19 years of age unless your
doctor tells you to.}
Continue trying to reduce the fever until
it is 101ºF or less.
Ask your child's doctor about suppositories
that lower fevers if your child has had a fever fit in the past. Using one at the first
sign of a fever may prevent a seizure.
| Has the person stopped breathing? {Note: See Airway and Breathing.}  |
 |
Does the seizure occur with another serious problem such as? Head injury Heat stroke Electric shock Poisoning{Note: Give first aid for problem at hand. See Head Injuries, Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke, Electric Shock, Poisoning.} |
|
| Are any of the following also present? The seizure lasts longer than 5
minutes. The person has a second seizure soon after
the first one The person has a hard time breathing The person is pregnant {Note: See First Aid for Seizures with Convulsions under Self-Care Tips below.} |
|
| In a Child: Are one or both of these things true? This is the child's first seizure The seizure occurred in a child less than 6
months old or older than 4 years of age{Note: See First Aid for a Seizure in a Child under Self-Care Tips below. Do this until emergency care arrives.} |
|
{Note: Some seizures in people who have epilepsy and in children with high fevers do not need immediate medical care. If you see someone having a convulsive seizure without other problems, do First Aid for Seizures with Convulsions below. (A person with epilepsy may wear a medic-alert bracelet or neck chain with "epilepsy" written on it or he or she may have "epilepsy" written on a card or driver's license in his or her wallet or purse. Look for this.) Also, inform your child's doctor whenever he or she has a seizure.}
First
Aid for Seizures with Convulsions:
Stay calm.
Protect the victim from injury. Cushion the
head with a soft object such as a pillow, coat, or blanket.
Move sharp objects out of the way.
Loosen tight clothes around the neck.
Place the person on his or her side.
Clear the mouth of vomit if there is any.
Do not try to hold the victim down.
Do not put a spoon or anything into the
mouth to prevent tongue biting.
Do not give anything to eat or drink.
Do not give medication.
Do not throw water on the victim's face.
Note how many minutes the seizure(s) lasts
and observe the symptoms that take place so you can report these to the doctor.
Offer to help the victim when the seizure
is over. Do not embarrass the victim.
First
Aid for a Seizure in a Child:
Prevent injury to the
child during the seizure:
Keep the child from falling and hitting his or her head on a table edge or any sharp
object.
Cushion the child's head.
Move furniture and toys and such out of the way.
Make sure his or her air passage is open.
Gently pull the jaw forward as you extend the neck backwards.
Roll the child on his or her side to allow
saliva to drain from the mouth.
Following the seizure, the child will
likely be sleepy and not remember what has happened. This is normal. Consult your child's
doctor and follow instructions.
Dress the child in light, loose-fitting
clothing and put him or her to sleep in a cool room.
If the seizure in a child is due to a
fever, lower the child's temperature as soon as the seizure stops:
Sponge the body with lukewarm water.
Do not use rubbing alcohol.
Do not use ice because it drops the temperature too fast.
Do not put the child in a bathtub.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/21/99